ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, on Wednesday commended the conduct of the All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Assembly primary election in Surulere Constituency I, describing it as peaceful, fair and well organised.
Gbajabiamila made the remark while speaking with journalists after participating in the primary held at Ward G2 (Adeniran Ogunsanya Ward 5), located at Alaka Housing Estate, Surulere, Lagos.
The former Speaker of the House of Representatives said he was impressed by the conduct of party members and the calm atmosphere that characterised the exercise in his ward.
“You know, this is my ward, Ward G2, and I have been voting here in Ward G2 for as long as I have been in politics,” he said.
“And anytime I come to vote, whatever office or election it is, my reaction is always the same. When I see peaceful, fair, credible, orderly elections, I am always very happy. And that is exactly what I have seen today.”
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Gbajabiamila noted that the turnout was impressive despite the exercise being a party primary, adding that members conducted themselves in an orderly manner throughout the process.
“The turnout, considering that we are talking about primaries here, has been very impressive. People have been peaceful and orderly,” he said.
“The election has been free and transparent, and I am happy to see that. So, I congratulate the people of Ward G2.”
He further stated that reports from other wards indicated similar peaceful conduct across the constituency.
“From what I am hearing, the feedback I am getting, it is the same across the board,” he added.
However, the Surulere Constituency I primary was not without tension, as reports indicated a contest between a Gbajabiamila-backed aspirant, Mrs Barakat Odunuga-Bakare, and incumbent lawmaker Desmond Elliot, who is seeking a fourth term in the Lagos State House of Assembly.
The APC has continued its internal primaries across Lagos and other states ahead of the 2027 general elections amid growing political competition within the party.